Build Replacing Former Teen Challenge Compound in Clinton Hill Tops Out

Construction is progressing on the first phase of a large development on a block-through property formerly owned by a Christian organization in Clinton Hill.

A residential building has reached its full height of five stories at 445 Vanderbilt Avenue. The complex takes the place of a carriage house and a blue and white building resembling a school that dated from the mid 20th century. According to building permits, there will be 43 units, 25 parking spaces (13 of which will be off site), and 22 spaces for bicycles.

Foundation work has just begun on the second phase, at the other end of the property, where plans call for seven three-story townhouses with an address of 444 Clinton Avenue. (They will be numbered 434-446, the rendering shows.)

The property used to be owned by Teen Challenge (now called Adult & Teen Challenge), a Christian organization that provides residential treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, as well as an after school program for children. The organization was founded in 1960 by David Wilkerson, author of the book “The Cross and the Switchblade” and pastor at the Times Square Church in Manhattan, the same year they purchased the property in Clinton Hill.

They sold the property to 444 Clinton LLC for $17 million in July 2019, but still own a landmarked freestanding Colonial Revival home at 416 Clinton Avenue. Previously, they owned a number of other buildings on the block, including the former Charles A. Schieren mansion at 405 Clinton Avenue, which they sold in 1969.

The new owner is developer Pinny Loketch of The Loketch Group, according to building permits. Marvel Architects is the applicant of record for the entire project. Among their many projects in Brooklyn, they have designed two separate nine-story buildings six blocks away at 909 Atlantic Avenue.

Related Stories

• Final Two Buildings at Teen Challenge Compound in Clinton Hill Demolished for Planned Townhouses
• Wrecking Ball Comes to Teen Challenge Compound in Clinton Hill Where Townhouses Are Planned
• New Signage at Teen Challenge Center a Real Bummer

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